Sliding door



May '29, 1934.

E. F. ALLEN SLIDING DOOR 5, 1931 4 SQets-Sheet 1' -MO Q Filed Aug.

' May 29, 19334.

- E. F. ALLEN 1,960,860

SLIDING DOOR Filed Aug. 5, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 "jz weazkl- I .7 E61 a May 29, 1934. E. F. ALLEN SLIDING DOOR Filed Aug. 5, 1951 4 Sheets-Shet s I I l I I I I a I l May 29, 1934. ALLEN 1,960,860

SLIDING DOOR Filed Aug. 5, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 jzv'zzafxzz 3. 7M y Patented Mav 29, 1934 warren STATES snmmo DOQR Earle F. Allen, Cambridge, Mass, assignor to Allen-Drew Company, Cambridge, Mass... a cor= poration of Massachusetts Application August 5, ran, Serial No. 555,231

M claim. an. 2-ll9) This invention relates to motor-operated door for airplane hangars, balloon sheds, garages or the like, and has for its principal object the provision of a sliding door comprising a plurality of interconnected sections arranged in ofiset relation and movable relatively to each other, and improved means for automatically operating the door so that the respective sections are moved simultaneously, said means preferably including a motor driving unit mounted on one of the sections for opening or closing the door. The present application is a continuation in part of my pending application, Serial No. 283,829, filed August 6,1929, in which I have disclosed the improved driving unit herein more particularly described.

Further objects of the present invention reside in the provision of apparatus for flexibly interconnecting the door sections in such a manner that the respective sections move at a progressive rate and uniformly overlapadjacent sections at all times, whereby all sectionserrive simultaneously at their fully opened or closed positions; and in the improved construction and arrangement of the automatic driving mechanism for operating the door.

Recommended embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

which:

Fig. l. is an elevation of a four-section door equipped with the improved apparatus, the door being fully closed;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Fig. 2, showing intermediate and opened positions of the door;

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail to larger scale, illustrating the connecting apparatus between adjacent door sections; a

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view, indicating the operative arrangement of the apparatus;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged elevation of one of the improved motor drive units;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a detail of the clutch mechanism shown in Fig. '7; I i

Fig. 10 is an elevation of a modified type of door equipped with the driving unit of Figs. 7 and 8; a I l Fig. 11 is a central horizontal section of Fig. 10; and

Figs. 12 and 13 are views similar to Figs. 10 and 11', illustrating another typeof sectional door.

In the preferred embodiment'chosen" for the-- purpose of illustration in Figs. 1 to 6, the hangar operate the door.

door comprises four sections S 5 S and S slidable relatively to each other for closing one half of the entrance to an airplane hangar or the like. It will be understood that a similar door may be provided for closing the other half of the openin or that a single sectional door may be arranged to extend entirely across the entrance of the building. It will also be apparent that the number of sections may be varied to suit particular purposes, and that the subject matter of the present invention has especial utility when a large number of door sections, for example eight or more, are interconnected as herein described.

The respective door sections are preferably supported by wheels W traveling on parallel tracks or guides G, and suitable overhead mechanism may be provided for guiding the upper ends of the movable sections. The sectional door may thus be located either outside or inside the front wall of the building, which is indicated in the drawings by the frame member F at one side of the doorway. The door sections open toward the frame F, and it will be observed that the juxtaposed sections of the opened door occupy a rel-= atively small space. The rectangular sections S may be of any suitable size, and may be made of any desired material, for r ample steel; for the precise construction thereof is not essential to this i adjacent sections normally overlap to' provide a cent sections is constantly preserved during movement of the door. By reason of such interconnecting means the sections'are constrained to move or to come to rest simultaneously; and the uniform overlapping of the ends of the respec-' tive sections increases or decreases at a constant rate, so that the sections may be fully extended or moved into juxtaposition. The sliding movement of the sectional door is preferablyeffected by a motor driving unit associated with the outermost section S as indicated at M, but it'will be apparent that the unit may be connectedto either of the sections or that other 'means'may be employed for sliding any one-of As 'best showniniFigs. 2120 5, the mechanisms for interconnectingthedoor sections in the man-' ner above set forth preferably comprises a. pluthe' sections to rality of beltsB B and B transversely encircling the respective sections S S and S and passing over pulleys P or other anti-friction devices at the opposite ends of said sections. Each of said belts is connected by means of transverse brackets or tie members T to the adjacent door sections at its opposite sides, except that the bracket T of belt B is secured to the building frame F and constitutes the sole fixed point of the door connecting system. -'I'he distance between the'ties T and 'I' taken'along the belt B is the same in either direction; and the ties T T and T '1' are similarly located, on belts l? and B respectively. The opposite ends of said ties (ex- 5 cept T are fastened to corresponding portions of the next adjacent door sections, preferably at the ends thereof. Hence, it is apparent that the variable distance between the ties T and "1 will always equal the corresponding interval between 0 ties T and T irrespective of the position of the door, thereby ensuring the uniform overlapping above mentioned.

Steel bands or cables, or straps of other durable iiexible material may be employed as the belts B; and the belts roll freely over the idler pulleys P. The position of the pulleys may be adjusted by means hereinafter described, so that the tension of the respective belts may be uniformly regulated. It will be understood that the door sections'are of approximately the same width, and that one ,or more similarly. equipped sections may be interposed between section's S and S provided with a revolving belt, and in the-ilv lustrated embodiment this sectioncarries the motor driving unit M for operating the several sections. Y

A recommended form of the interconnecting elements is more particularly illustrated in the detail view of Fig.5. In this embodiment, the pulleys P have their axles 20 mounted inslots 21 a of forked brackets 22 which are fixed to the end frames 23 of the door sections S by means of a clamp 24 having a securing bolt 25. Adjusting screws 26 thread through the axles 20 for varying the position of the pulleys with respect to the door end, thereby to regulate the tension of belts .B. It is apparent that the pulley mounting .is substantially the same at the opposite sides of each of the respective sections S S and S and it will be observed from Fig. 1 that the pairs of pulleys mounted on anyoneof the sections are vertically offset from those of the adjacent section to avoid interference. Hence, the belts B 65 B and B extend horizontally, in staggered relation to each other.

The tie members T for connecting the. slidable belts to adjacent door members may comprise metal brackets 2'7 secured to the door frames 23 by means of bolts 28 and having flanged porxtions clamped to the corresponding belts as by bolts 29. As previously indicated, the tie member T is fixed to the building frame F by suitable securing means; and it is obvious .that the particular instrumentalities employed for the purpose of connecting the belts of one section til/the door frames of each adjacent section-(arm the building frame F), or for attaching the pulleys to the door sections, are not essential to my invention, considered in its generic aspect.

The mode of operation of the improved sectional door is diagram'atically illustrated in Fig. 6 which shows the door partially closed, it being understood that the door is preferably propelled by the motor unit M carried by the outer or for- The outermost section S need not be wardmost section S If, for example, the door is to be opened (or moved to the left in the arrangement illustrated), the motor is operated to drive the section S in that direction. Such propelling force will be communicated through the interconnected door sections to the belt B which is rigidlyfixed by tie T to the frame F; for it is apparent that sections S and S can not travel toward closed position until the rearward section S and its belt B are set in motion. Section S can, and will, move by reason of the communicated force of the propelling motor. Said section accordingly moves to the left, its belt B revolves clockwise on its pulleys, thereby allowing section S to move in, the same direction, and causing clockwise movement of its belt B and the remaining sections are propelled in a similar manner. As the distance along each belt between the tie members fastened thereto is the same in either direction, and as these ties are fixed to corresponding portions of the adjace t door sections, it is obvious that the distance between ties T and T will equal that between ties T and T in any relative position of the sections. It therefore follows that the door sections overlap each other uniformly at any position of the door with respect to the frame F.

It is also evident that the respective door sections are constrained to move at progressively varying rates of speed, and that the distance covered by the sections varies according toan arithmetic progression, so that all sections simultaneously arrive at closed position wherein their respective end portions are substantially aligned in a'plane at right angles to their path of movement (Fig. 4). To illustrate, let it be assumed that section S moves a distance d with respect to the frame F. As tie T is fixed to the frame,

it will accordingly move the same distance 111 relative to section S upon rotation of the. belt B hence the opposite tie T of this belt will. have moved a distance 2d with respect to the frame F: 1d by reason of the movement of section S and 1d by reasonof the rotation of its belt. Section S (connected by tie T consequently moves a distance 2d with respect-to the frame and lit with respect to section S Simi lar1y, tie T moves lot with respect to frame F and also 1d relative to section S upon rotation of belt B consequently the opposite tie T of belt B will have moved a distance 3d with respect to point F: 2d because of the movement of section S and 1d relative to said section. Therefore section S moves an equivalent distance (3d) with respect to the wall F; and 1d relative to section S In the same manner tie T and section S to which it is fastened move a distance 4d with rela-.- tion to wall F: 3d as a result of the movement of section S and id or a consequence of the 135 rotation of belt B relative to said section. Any number of sections may beinterconnected for simultaneous progressivemovement in this manner; and it will be found that all sections move simultaneously and continuously when the door is propelled bydriving one section, the rearmost section (at the end nearest the building wall F) moving one unit of distance while the succeeding sections move 2, 3, 4, etc. units during .any time interval, whether the door is being closed or opened.

While in certain. aspects of my invention, I may employ any suitable means or mechanism for supplying the .op tive force for moving one of the sections of my improved door, I prefer to 150 and provide the forwardmost section S with a motor driving unit M of the type shown in Figs. '7 and 8. This unit may be mounted at the bottom of the section so that its driving wheel or wheels may travel along one of the tracks or guides G,

track G and rotatable by an electric motor E operating through cluch mechanism C of friction type. Each driving wheel may have an axle 33 carrying a spur gear 34 which engages a worm 35 splined to a driving shaft 36, the wheels, shafts and gears being mounted upon suitable brackets or casing members securely bolted 'to gether and to the panel 30 (Fig. 8).

Panel 30 and its operating mechanism is supported by the driving wheels, and is preferably held in vertical position by means of an upright shaft 37 which is suitably secured at its upper end within the door section S and"which is mounted at its lower end in bosses or bearings 38 fixed to the panel, so that the panel may swing angularly with respect to the door section and may have slight vertical movement in its 1 recess 31. A collar 38 provided with a ball race 39 may surround the shaft 3'7 at the top of the panel to provide a roller bearing against an abutment to of the door section. In case two driving wheels are provided, the axis of the shaft 3'7 preferably passes between the wheels so that the wheels may follow any curves or irregularities in the track without straining the driving mechanism or the door section.

The friction clutch C which connects the driving shaft 36 with a stub shaft ll of the reversible motor E, preferably comprisesone or more disks or plates 42 slidably mounted in the usual manner within a drum 43 fixed to shaft a1, a complemental series of plates 44 splined to the shaft 36, a head 45 surrounding shaft 36 and suitably secured to the end of drum 43, and a coiled spring 46 or other resilient member interposed between the head 45 and the adjacent disk 42 and bearing against said disk normally to hold the disks and plates in mutual engagement.

Suitable facing strips or friction rings 47 are located between adjacent plates of the clutch so that the clutch is normally operative to cause rotation of the shaft 36 when the motor E is in operation. The yielding tension of spring s6 is sufficient to ensure the necessary contact for this purpose, but preferably allows the clutch plates to slip or rotate relatively to each other under the initial impetus of the motor shaft 41. Ac-

cordingly speed of rotation of the driving shaft 36 will increase gradually under the automatic action of the friction clutch, thereby relieving both the motor and the door sections from the shock and strain of a suddenly applied propelling force.

One or more motor driving units constructed as above described may be advantageously employed for. operating hangar doors of various types in addition to the preferred form of door shown in Figs. 1 to 5. For example, in the modified arrangement of Figs. 10 and 11, the door comprises several sections 51 suitably hinged together at their adjoining sides and mounted on wheels or rol1ers52 traveling on a common track 53; and guide means, such as the rail 54 and cooperating pulleys 55, may be provided at the top of the sectional door to support the section in upright position. The-track 53 and guide rail 54 may extend across the doorway of the builcling, curve rearwardly at the building corner 56, and then pass beside the building wall, so that the door may be conveniently rolled away from the entrance and. occupy but little space within the hangar or shed. The motor driving units 5'7 are mounted in the manner above indicated at the bottom of the'outermost door section 51'.

In the further modification shown .in Figs. 12 and 13, the door sections'fil are offset transversely from each other and are suspended from an overhead rail 62 by means of roller'hangars 63 which may be suitably offset from the respective sections so that the hangar rollers are guided by the common rail 62. The motor driving units 63 are mounted in the usual manner at the base of the forwardmost section, and the sections slide relatively to each other when propelled by the motor, which may travel in a track 64'. The respective sections have flanges or abutments 65 and 66 projecting transversely at their opposite sides and cooperating with corresponding flanges on the next adjacent section or sections, so that the sections are successively moved in. one direction or the other. Hence, the door sections may be extended as shown in'the drawings to close the entrance to the building, or may be moved to juxtaposed relation at the corner 6'1 of the hangar. Other modifications of the structural details herein set forth may be practiced to suit particular purposes without departing from the essence of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

it is evident that a sliding door constructed in accordance with this invention will operate smoothly and efiiciently without the objectionable jars and shocks which are characteristic of the common p'ck-up type of sliding doors; that the improved door is adapted to close the entrance of a hangar or other building, irrespective of the size of the entrance or doorway; and that the door is easy to operate by reason of the improved driving unit, durable in use, and not unduly cumbersome.

I claim:

1. A sliding door comprising a plurality of parallel, upright sections transversely ofifset with respect to each other and movable relatively to each other as the door is propelled from open to closed position, the sections being rela ively extended when the door is closed and being juxtaposed with their respective end portions sub-' stantially aligned in a plane at right angles to the r path of movement when the door is open,

and flexible means interconnecting adjacent sec- 7 tions for causing simultaneous movement of the interconnected sections when one of said sections is propelled to open position and similar move? ment when'one of said sections is propelled to closed posit on, so thatthe respective, sections arrive simultaneously at either position.

2. A sliding door comprisinga, plurality of paralleLupright sections transversely offset with re spect to each other and movable relatively to I each other as thejdoor is propelled from open to closed position, the sections being relatively extended when the door is closed and being juxtaposed with their respective end portions substantially aligned in a plane at right angles to their path of movement when the door is open, and flexible means interconnecting adjacent sections constructed and arranged to vary the movement of the interconnected sections and to preserve a substantially uniform overlapping relation between said sections, during movement thereof in either direction.

3. A sliding door comprising a plurality of parallel, upright sections transversely offset with respect to each other and movable relatively to each other as the door is propelled from open to closed position, the sections being relatively extended when the door is closed andbeing disposed in overlapping, substantially juxtaposed relation when the door is. open, movable belts transversely encircling adjacent sections, and connecting members fastened to the respective belts and attached respectively to corresponding parts of adjacent door sections, whereby the interconnected sections are constrained to move simultaneously when one of them is propelled.

4:. A sliding door comprising a plurality of par-.-

allel, upright sections transversely offset with respect to each other and movable relatively to each other as the dooris propelled from open to closed position, the sections being relatively extended when the door is closed and being disposed in overlapping, substantially juxtaposed relation when the door is open, movable belts transversely encircling adjacent sections, and a pair of connecting members fixed to each belt at opposite sides of the door sections and respectively attached to the side portions of adjacent sections,

whereby 'the interconnected sections are constrained to move simultaneously when one of them is propelled.

5. A sliding door comprising a plurality, of parallel, upright sections transversely ofiset with respect to each, other and movable relatively to each other as the door is propelled from open to closed position, the sections being relatively extended when the door is closed and being disposed in overlapping, substantially juxtaposed relation when the door is open, movable mlts transversely encircling adjacent sections, and a pair of tie members fixed to each belt at opposite sides of the door section and respectively attached to the side portions of the adjacent sections, the

distance between the ties being approximately the same in either direction along the belt, thereby to vary the speed of the said sections and topreserve a substantially uniform overlapping relation therebetween during movement of the door from one position to the other. v

6. A sliding door comprising a plurality of parallel, upright sections transversely offset with respect to each other and movable relatively to each other as the door is propelled from open to closed position, the sections being relatively extended when the door is closed and being disposed in overlapping, substantially juxtaposed relation when the door'is open, pulleys mounted atopposite sides of adjacent sections, movable belts carried by the pulleys of said sections and transversely encircling the respective sections intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof, each complemental pair of pulleys being vertically oi!- set from those on the next adjacent'door section,

and a pair of connecting members fastened to each belt at opposite sides of the section and attached respectively to the sides of the next adjacent section, whereby the interconnected sections are constrained to move simultaneously when one of them is propelled. v

7. A sliding door comprising a plurality of parallel, upright sections transversely offset with respect to each other and movable relatively to each other as the door is propelled from open to closed position, the sections being relatively extended when the door is, closed and being disposed in overlapping, substantially juxtaposed relation when the door is open, pulleys mounted at opposite sides of adjacent sections, movable belts carried by the pulleys of said sections and transversely encircling the respective sections intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof, each complemental pair of pulleys being vertically offset from those on the next adjacent door section, and a pair of tie members fixed to each belt and spaced apart at opposite sides of the door section so that the distance between the ties'is approximately the same in either direction along the belt, the respective ties being attached to the sides of the next adjacent door sections, thereby interconnected sections are constrained to move simultaneously. V

8. A sliding door comprising a plurality of parallel, upright sections transversely oifset with respect to each other and movable relatively to each other as the door is propelled from open to closed position, the sections being relatively extended when the door is closed and being disposed in overlapping, substantially juxtaposed relation when the door is open, pulleys mounted at opposite sides of adjacent sections, movable belts carried by the pulleys of said sections and transversely encircling the respective sections intermediate the upper. and lower'ends thereof, each complemental pair of pulleys being vertically offset'from those on the next adjacent door section, a pair of connecting members fastened to each belt at opposite sides of the section and attached respectively to the sides of the next adjacent door sections, one of the connecting members upon the belt carried by the rearmost section being fixed in position, and a motor driving unit carried by the forwardmost door section for-simultaneously propelling the several sections.

9. A sliding door comprising a plurality of sections transversely oifset from each other and movable with respect to each other from relatively extended to'relatively overlapping relation, flexible means interconnecting adjacent sec-' tions so that said sections are constrained to move together in either direction, and a motor driving unit carried by the forwardmost section for simultaneously propelling all the sections.

10. A sliding door comprising a plurality of 'sections transversely offset from each other and movable with respect to each other from relatively extended to relatively overlapping relation,

.flexible means interconnecting adjacent sections so that said sections are constrained to move together, the forwardmostsection having a recess adjacent to one edge, a panel located in said to said sectionabout a vertical axis, and a motor 150 driving unit mounted on said panel for propelling the door, said unit comprising a driving wheel supporting the panel and driving unit and a motor for operating said wheel.

12. A sliding door comprising a plurality of upright sections movable from open to closed position, the forwardmost section having a recess adjacent to one edge, a panel pivotally mounted in said recess and angularly movable with respect to said sections about a vertical axis, and a motor driving unit mounted on said panel for propelling the door, said unit comprising a driving wheel supporting the panel and driving unit, a motor for operating the wheel, and a friction clutch automatically operative to regulate th starting speed of the driving wheel.

13. A sliding door composed of individual sections and having a motor driving unit connected to one section for propelling the door over a track,

said unit comprising a motor having a shaft, a driving wheel traveling on the track, a shaft for driving the wheel, and a friction clutch connecting the'two shafts and automatically operative to regulate the starting speed of the wheel.

14. A'sliding door composed of individual sections and having a motor driving unit connected to one section for propelling the door over a track, said unit comprising a motor having a shaft, a driving wheel traveling on the track, a shaft for driving the wheel, and a friction clutch connecting the two shafts and automatically operativeto regulate the starting speed of the wheel, said door section having a panel pivotally mounted to swing about a vertical axis, and said unit being mounted on said panel with the driving wheel supporting the weight of the panel and unit.

EARLE F. ALLEN. 

